The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

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[TAKEN] Map for home D&D campaign

A map of home D&D campaign with professional quality

- I need map of one region of this fantasy world (coast, islands, mountains). Not of whole world with continents. And size must be enought to print it on a big poster (like A3 format)
- Professional map with details and interesting features like these: http://fantasy-maps.com/wp-content/g...onslairv04.jpg - best style - i want a map designet like this onehttp://www.cartographersguild.com/at...7&d=1317820527 - beatiful details.
- Full-color map, but if it would be very expensive/takes very long time we can discuss grayscale or even b&w variant
- I need source files of map too, because some of names on map may change.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think you might find it hard for an artist to sell you his complete source files. You could have a couple layers however. One of the map and another with the names of locations that could be modified.

Full source files would show all the tricks an artist used to create the image and while some might not be bothered by that others might not want to give it all away. There is also an issue of source files not working for you because everyone uses different software. For instance, Paintshop, Gimp, Xara, Inkscape, and various other products which unless you have that software the files would be useless to you.

I would recommend you just ask for a way to modify the labels so you can change them later and let the artist consider how to allow for it. I would think that shouldn't be a problem. Of course, sometimes if you are planning to post it on the net some might be concerned about how you change those names. You would be surprised how much an image can be degraded by poorly placed labels. Some are concerned that if their name is going to be on it that it hasn't been massively butchered. It is their reputation after all just as much as it is your map to use.

“When it’s over and you look in the mirror, did you do the best that you were capable of? If so, the score does not matter. But if you find that you did your best you were capable of, you will find it to your liking.” -John Wooden

What image editing software do you have or more importantly what sort of source files do you need in order to do what you require? For example, personally, I use Gimp for my stuff. I'm not even sure I can export layers that are useful to Paintshop. Well, I guess I could create .png or something.

“When it’s over and you look in the mirror, did you do the best that you were capable of? If so, the score does not matter. But if you find that you did your best you were capable of, you will find it to your liking.” -John Wooden